Editor:

Ms. Jones, in her letter of 29 January, asks good questions about the impact of the data centers at the STAMP site.

One important item I did not see in her letter was the amount of money the data centers would generate in taxes very year. In Loudoun County Va., where I live, our data centers provide millions in taxes each year.

I am not, repeat not, suggesting Orleans County open itself up to a large number of these data centers, only that any arrangement between local government and the data centers, even for only two data centers, must include a contract that details how much taxes they will pay each year.

That would be a reasonable question to ask at the Feb. 3 meetings.

Jack Capurso

Albion High School Class of 1960

Ashburn, Va.

Editor:

It’s time for the citizens of Orleans County to get answers regarding the “pause” at Martin-Linsen Residence that has not changed since September. Someone has to have an answer.

The facility had a waiting list of referrals for several years and suddenly that stopped. What happened? Poor management, too much highly paid staff, wrong billing procedures so there was lack of reimbursement?

Many of us contributed toward building this facility. I know services are still provided in the home setting but as a retired health care worker, many times patients need more than a few hours in the home setting and need 24-hour care in a facility.

In September two individuals asked for answers and none were given. Someone has to know what is going on.

Now Hospice is promoting the sale of spring bouquets. Where will this money be spent? Keeping lights and heat on in an empty building? Paying a person to answer the phone?

Please give us a reasonable answer.  This is a beautiful facility and should not be left empty.

Jeanne Crane

Carlton

Editor:

To my neighbors, I’m writing to implore you to join me this Monday, February 3, at a public hearing in Alabama, NY to demand oversight and protection for local citizens from the three planned hyperscale data centers planned for the STAMP site.

The hearings are at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. at the Alabama Firehall in Basom. I will personally be late, as (like lots of you) I’ll be at work, but I will attend late anyway. I implore you to attend too, especially those of you who can be there by 2 p.m.

Medina friends, just drive south on Route 63, and turn left when you get to Judge Road. The firehall is on the right. It is so important we make our voices heard when it comes to hyperscale data centers spring up, seemingly overnight.

Such data centers are massive, designed specifically to handle artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, data storage, and a host of other big data storage pursuits. The top three hyperscale companies are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), followed by Alibaba, Apple, and IBM Cloud, Meta Platforms, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

However, no one can tell you which of these companies are seeking to build at the STAMP site, as it is very likely the STAMP board had to sign nondisclosure agreements with the companies hiding behind all the LLCs vying for leases. This alone is troubling, as is the hastily planned and barely announced public hearing held in the middle of a Monday work day.

Data centers and their voracious appetites for power and water are growing at an unprecedented amount. In 2023, over 25% of all the power produced in the state of Virginia went to data centers, which could rise to as high as 46% by 2030 if such growth continues at its current pace.

Virginia is scrambling to address this problem, most recently with bipartisan legislation meant to address and ameliorate some of the problems host communities have faced. So is New York: Senate Bill S9960, introduced this past December, does the same. And make no mistake: the negative impact the Western New York community will face in the coming years is vast. It is no accident there has been so little publicity regarding Monday’s public hearing. But the plan to build these massive hyperscale data centers has such ramifications, everyone should know about it.

According to the official documentation from the three companies themselves (Potentia Holdings, LLC/Hydroscale, Project Rampart, and Stream U. S. Data Centers LLC/Double Reed), which was posted with the public hearing announcement by GCEDC, the scope and magnitude of the three data centers is breathtaking.

GCEDC plans to build five structures at the STAMP site, for a total of 3,450,000 square footage. They plan to use 645 megawatts of electricity a year. They plan to use 41,675 gallons of water per day. And they plan to store 2,260,000 gallons of diesel fuel underground for backup generators, should they lose power. They will run 24-7, 365 days a year.

There is no question that the local community, including nearby towns and cities, will bear much of the cost these companies incur unless rigorous and stringent regulations are put in place upfront. Such regulations protect everyone else, and they must be prioritized as highly as financial gains for the region.

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), 645 megawatts is enough electricity to serve 538,228 households. That’s right–three data centers plan to use as much electricity in a year as half a million households. STAMP may as well be building a small city.

The outcome of such electricity usage? Expect your already high electricity bills to skyrocket. Expect the price of water to be even more of a premium than it already is. Expect the Tonawanda Creek Native American tribe, their Big Woods, and their waterways to face even more indignity and harm than they have already have. Expect wildlife as we know it to decrease and diminish in ways that harm each and every one of us.

When you hear about the financial incentives STAMP is handing out and telling you “Jobs Jobs Jobs” is the end all be all and answer to everything, demand to know this: what kind of oversight protections for the host communities are written in?

What good are highly specialized, finite jobs for a select few when everyone else is likely to face skyrocketing energy costs? What will happen to the region’s water and air when power outages result in massive diesel fuel usage from the backup generators? What happens when something goes wrong?

What will happen to the Indigenous community that relies on the Big Woods for sustenance, rituals, and medicine after Big Data has desecrated it? What about the impact of any discharge – heated or treated water that consequently affects the temperature and biodiversity of nearby tributaries, wetlands, tribal land, Iroquois Wildlife Refuge, Oak Orchard Creek, and Tonawanda Creek?

There are so many concerns that must be raised, and Monday, February 3, at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. at the Alabama Firehall on Judge Road is all of our opportunity to raise them.

See you Monday in Basom, neighbors.

Karen Jones

Shelby

Editor:

The Republican “Law and Order” Party elected a known convicted felon to the Presidency.

This Republican-elected felon has carried out his campaign promise to pardon those who violently attacked police officers protecting our government. Officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood, Jeffrey Smith, Gunther Hashida and Kyle deFreytag died as a result of that attack and 140 officers were injured.

One of the attackers pardoned by the President, Jacob Chansley, (the man with the horned-animal headdress and body paint, dubbed the QAnon Shaman), stated he was now going to exercise his Second Amendment rights and buy some guns.

Another man, Daniel Ball, pardoned by the President for attacking police officers on Jan. 6, 2021 with explosive device was re-arrested in Florida on weapons charges. Republicans elected a felon who promised to open the prisons and release violent criminals to prey upon U.S. citizens. He has kept his promise.

Besides pardoning cop beaters, the felon President also pardoned Ross Ulbricht, a convicted drug kingpin. Mr. Ulbricht was convicted in 2015 of selling more than $200 million worth of drugs including heroin, cocaine, and LSD.

Mr. Trump promised last May to pardon Mr. Ulbricht while courting votes and campaign contributions from the crypto industry. So, the pardon was not a surprise nor unexpected.

Republicans knew who they were voting for last November. This is just some of the evidence that the Republicans have abandoned law and order. While loudly proclaiming they support law enforcement their actions demonstrate that they do not.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Simple solution: We do not have to invade Panama. The All-American solution is US ports and railroads.

Rail, supplemented by water and truck, can deliver overseas freight without Canal tolls.

This also strengthens USA infrastructure.

Gerard M. Morrisey

East Gaines

Editor:

On inauguration day Trump pardoned all of the 1,500-plus Jan. 6’ers. Most of these had already served their full prison time.

But the few hundred released on Jan. 21 were the worst of the worst: Proud Boys & Oath Keeper leaders and their ilk.

Be aware that wannabee dictators always have groups of thugs that are used to intimidate any and all opposition. They are particularly needed in the early phases of a dictator’s takeover. In these early stages the wannabee will seek to damage, or destroy,  the existing system of government.

In a democracy the changes are done legally whereas the wannabee’s thugs use illegal violence and intimidation to pave the way for the changes. These thugs will not have uniforms or name tags so as to make them hard to identify. This will make it easier for the  wannabee to claim no knowledge of these acts of violence and intimidation. He will say he has no knowledge of the violence and will say it certainly isn’t his police or army doing this. Of course, after the violence and intimidation have helped obtain the takeover the wannabee changes the laws. After that the police and military will be used to enforce the new dictatorial laws.

I feel it certain  that Trump will create his own private army from these pardoned Jan. 6’ers.  Hitler’s similar groups of thugs were called the Brownshirts. They helped Hitler to gain and consolidate power in the 1920s & ’30s.

Dennis Seekins

Lyndonville

Editor:

Give me your foreign born billionaire yearning to take over the world.

Your wretched high-tech male oligarchs selling all your data hoping to be richer.

Send the faux news actors to run the country for me.

I lift my lamp to see all the gold you have in store.

Danise F. Austin

Albion

Editor:

On Monday, January 20 we replace a very confused, slightly angry old man with a slightly confused, very angry old man. There must be a better process that we can follow.

The current primary system favors extreme views, early in the process. Early primary states should have a later “Correction of Errors” phase.

Gerard M. Morrisey

Gaines

Editor:

Local Republican legislators – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Congressman Nick Langworthy, and State Senator Rob Ortt, (all who endorsed a convicted criminal for President) – have expressed their opposition to the Green Light Law which allows for undocumented immigrants to have drivers’ licenses.

In order to obtain a Green Light Driver’s license, the applicant must apply for a learner’s permit, pass a written exam, take a driver education course and pass a road test as well as provide documents proving their identity, age and residency.

Undocumented immigrants make up over half of farm workers, according to Cornell University and they comprise a large share of construction and health care industries.

These people have families, and they drive their children to school and extra-curricular activities. They drive family members to doctor’s offices and to their jobs just like the rest of us.

Ending the Green light Law will not stop them from driving, but it will drive them underground and make driving less safe for all New Yorkers. Studies from New Mexico and Utah show that there is an increase in vehicular accidents and in the rate of uninsured drivers without the Green Light Law.

There is no evidence that the Green Light Law makes New Yorkers less safe. Our immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed, migrants need to have a legal way to enter the country, find jobs and help our economy grow. This Republican legislation of blaming others and punishment will not address the issue and shows their lack of seriousness.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Karen Sawicz is owed tremendous thanks by all current residents of not only Orleans County but the easily connected people who routinely access the Orleans Hub from afar!

I remember conversations with her going back about 15 years ago, following the death of her parents. I would stop in to the Lake Country Pennysaver offices to pay an advertising bill to her delightful front office crew and Karen would occasionally pop out of her office for a chat.

Even then, Karen’s personal life had changed from residing in Orleans County and she did have a potential buyer for The Lake Country Pennysaver, but she also had concerns.  She loved this county and she had pursued options to not only continue The Pennysaver but to also bring Orleans County into the virtual world of what she ultimately developed to become the Orleans Hub.

We have all benefited from her concerns, her diligence and countless decisions to not sell at that time. Instead, she focused on the development of a Virtual Hub and secured spectacular staff we all know so well and by the wonderful “Letter to the Editor” opportunities for any of us.

This Orleans Hub goes all over the world instantly by a push of keyboard strokes by any of us and has enabled such healthy discourse and promotions unlike ANY of our neighboring counties!

Thanks Karen, we owe you so much … from one Karen to another!

Karen Watt

Albion

Editor:

Some of my fondest memories are from the six years I spent attending Towne Primary School.

Singing outside on the steps in the back courtyard, the awesome playground that for many years I enjoyed taking my granddaughters to!

Would it not be an impressive home for our senior residents? I can see the playground being adored our seniors and their families, children coming to the courtyard or the library for a story hour! How about a cooking class?

Our young people may enjoy the time spent with a senior. I believe there may be young people, even us older adults would enjoy learning cooking skills (a pinch of this and a dash of that) including myself!

I believe the possibilities are endless. I would love to see the building come alive. Medina has witnessed the recent beautifications of the Bent’s Opera House and the Walsh House!

I know in my heart Towne School on Bates Road could be a perfect home for our seniors.

Just an idea!

Sarah Yates Gonzalez

Medina

Editor:

Congresswoman Tenney has introduced in Congress the Red Light Act that seeks to withhold federal transportation funding from states that enact laws to provide driver’s licenses or ID cards to illegal immigrants.

Tenney goes on to say, “In New York, the Green Light Law has given licenses to illegal immigrants. allowing these dangerous individuals to roam freely in our country, brutally attacking, raping and murdering members of our community.”

What an astonishing, illogical thing to put into print, let alone introduce in Congress. Is this yet another example of Tenney’s efforts to pander to Trump, to make sure she walks in lock step to his racist rantings on immigrants?

Using Tenny’s twisted logic perhaps she would also ban buses, trains and planes. And since criminals also walk, how about banning shoes and socks?

When members of Congress are in session, they usually employ cooks and maids in their Washington homes. A large number of these people are immigrants. Perhaps Tenney employs immigrants in her Washington DC house hold staff, and if so, I wonder if are they legally in the US?

A clarification from Tenney in the Hub would be useful.

Jack Capurso

Ashburn, Va.

Mr. Capurso graduated from Albion High School in 1960.

Editor:

In a recent letter, longtime opponent of wind energy, Kerri Richardson, claimed that residents may not see many benefits from the Heritage Wind project to the Town of Barre, Orleans County, and our local schools.

Ms. Richardson threw out a lot of numbers but ignores some basic facts about the project.

First, the revenue from Heritage Wind is new money for our town that we didn’t have to begin with. The benefits to our town, and schools from the PILOT and Host Community Agreement revenue are significant! And the amount could have been greater if not for the constant opposition and antics of the anti-wind factions, including Ms. Richardson’s group, which resulted in a smaller project with fewer turbines than originally proposed and permitted.

The funds coming to Barre from the wind project certainly could be used to lower town taxes, as the majority on the current board have expressed that they want to do. Other wind projects across the state have done just that.

Could the money from the project be used for other town priorities? Of course! It’s no secret that the funds could be used for other projects and that it’s up to the board. And with the additional funds, other priorities could be addressed as well. The question is whether most of the funds will be used to help the residents, and that will depend on who is on the board now and in the future.

Ms. Richardson also mentioned that job creation in this area from the project will be a low number and so not worthwhile. But she forgot to include the several hundred workers who will be working to build the project, including spending with local businesses to provide supplies and services during construction.

While construction workers will certainly come from throughout the region, and not all will be local to Orleans County, any visiting workers will be spending money locally for their daily needs, such as housing, food service, fuel and supplies. During operations, the number of full-time employees will decrease but the project will still produce full-time good paying jobs for the community.

Ms. Richardson and I do agree that when we vote this coming November, we should keep in mind who we want to represent our town. But we disagree on the kind of representation. Do we want those who are stuck in the past fighting against a project that is already approved, as Ms. Richardson would advocate for? Or do we want a group that will embrace the opportunity before us and make sure the financial benefits from Heritage Wind will be used in the best interests of the town and its residents? I’d rather see a group using the money to make life better for residents rather than fighting legal battles.

And I disagree with Ms. Richardson that most of the residents are against this project. I don’t think that’s been proven at all. I would say that most people here are probably tired of hearing about it and want the fighting to stop.

The wind project is coming! It will soon be built and will be generating clean power! And the new funds coming to the town, Orleans County, and local schools will provide a huge boost to this area that will prove beneficial to all.

Christine Loss

Barre

Editor:

I was very glad to read about the change in ownership at the Pennysaver and Hub, as it appears that there will be little outward change. Don’t mess with success.

Tom Rivers is the heart and soul of Orleans Hub. When I see Tom appear at a community event with his smiling face and his camera, I know that the world will hear about something that makes us proud of our home, or something that needs to be fixed.

Tom gets the names and the details right, and can be counted on to report the situation as it stands, without bias or spin. Those of us who log in several times a day, or watch the announcements on Facebook, appreciate the oasis that is Orleans Hub in the sandstorm desert of society today.

I grew up reading the Lyndonville Enterprise, a newspaper that appeared almost by magic from a mysterious little building that is now a parking lot behind the laundromat; I will never forget the web-fed printing press that took up two stories of that building, and the mostly hand-set type.

When I was a teenager I worked in the job shop at the Medina Journal-Register, which at the time was still set in hot lead from linotype. Both papers reported on school sports, who made the honors list at high school, who was visiting from out of town, farm news, and local businesses. We used to joke that they would go to the library to see if someone had borrowed the book, and that the phone directory had a Yellow Page. Life in a small town was important, even if it wasn’t Albion or Washington DC.

We can still get some of that in Tom and Ginny Kropf’s splendid work that appears on Orleans Hub. I admire the fact that it is a free site, although I would subscribe in a heartbeat.

When I do business with a Hub advertiser, I am careful to let them know I saw their ad. With the societal changes driving conventional newspapers out of business, the Orleans Hub is more than worth preserving; it is crucial. I am very glad to learn that the ownership structure will allow it to continue and grow.

Douglas Pratt

Lyndonville